For The Love of LusterStone - Decorative Painting's Finest

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Greetings all... I'm still here, and I'm here to show you a master bedroom wall that was completed in June. I've been waiting for the entire room to come together before I went for a photo shoot.

This project is a good example that demonstrates highlighting one wall can make all the difference in a beautiful design. The room would be lovely with painted walls, but in my opinion a little flat. We highlighted the headboard wall to add some dimension. This LusterStone plaster finish shows that decorative painting/faux finishes done right adds panache, sparkle, and luster. What do you think?

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Below is a picture of the room before all of the new furniture was brought in and the decorative accessories. Big difference don't you think?


Photography and wall finishes by Shakti Space Designs. Interior designs by Whirlygig Designs.

Small Cabinet Completed

Hey everyone! The cabinet is finished! To refresh your memory. I asked you to participate in the redo of this small cabinet. I gave you choices and you took a survey. 31% of you voted for the wood grain vinyl flower finish.

Here are the inspirational designs...

And here is the final piece! Ta-da!


It's cute right? I know, I know... it took long enough. But hey, it turned into a much busier summer than I anticipated. I've been unraveling, participating in the fishbowl, healing open wounds, sweating from record heat, dog/house sitting, and looking for corporate work.

If you're interested, here's how the cabinet progressed after my last post.

After my trip to Kinko's to use their oversize copier I had my 450%-sized copy ready to go. In order to transfer the copied design to the vinyl I used chalk on the back of the copy and rubbed the entire surface. Then turned the copy over and traced that design onto the vinyl. Once that was all traced I was ready to cut the design with an x-acto knife.


Applying the design was easy. A little more time consuming than I anticipated. I was hoping to stick the vinyl on the top, then pull the backing off in one fell swoop. However, with all of the drawers, doors and trim it would not have gone smoothly. So, it ended up being a puzzle. That's okay. It gave me time to ponder my dreams as I brought this cute creation to life.


So, now what? I'm going to sell it. Any takers?

For Nellie Ide Henry

The caterpillar dies so the butterfly could be born.
And, yet, the caterpillar lives in the butterfly and
they are but one. So, when I die, it will be that I
have been transformed from the caterpillar of earth to
the butterfly of the universe.
-- John Harricharan

My 98 year old grandmother, Nellie passed away the morning of August 29. She was the matriarch of my father's family. She had a strong and silent presence. When she spoke, she spoke with honesty and integrity. Many times with quick wit and often with a sharp tongue. She had a wicked sense of humor and loved practical jokes.

She hosted holidays with aunts, uncles and cousins until the family outgrew her small home. Ask any of us and we'll tell how much we loved her homemade noodles with chicken. My father would have raved about her oyster stuffing made special for Thanksgiving. She loved to cook, but most of all I remember her baked goods; pies, cakes and cookies. My favorites were her incredible date pinwheel cookies.

Late in life she became a prolific quilter. Her works were crafted with great care, and always from the heart. I am happy to own one of her beautiful creations, and use it almost every day.

All her life she managed to get by without ever getting a drivers license. There was always someone willing to take her places. We often took her on family vacations. Sitting quietly in the car, she always seemed to enjoy the sights and sounds while tolerating my brother and I bickering in the back of the station wagon. Still tolerating us as young adults cranking Violent Femmes to rid our angst during long road trips.

When my father died I moved away from Ohio to find myself, establish my independence and put some much needed distance between some family dynamics. Unfortunately I didn't make it a priority to get back to Ohio much. When I started my business over six years ago, funds for travel just weren't available. I missed a lot of opportunities to learn about her, and vice-versa. I know she understood why I moved, but I will spend the rest of my life kicking myself for not seeing her before she passed.

Dear Grandma, you will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you for inspiring me and showing me how to be a strong and independent woman. May you and dad watch over me as I continue my passage through life.